Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1887-09-16

the whole race; even the homcly and
succulent COW of commerce is not cx-
empt from my dislike; while the mis-
named monarch Of meadows" the un-
mitigated bull, fills me with a feeling
that hardly falls short of absolute terror
did not answer; could not.
''Ploasc do not come, if you would
rather 90 with the party to the ruins,
Norah continued. NJ will ask Captain
Tompkins."
1t was enough. Hardly considering
the consequences exclaimed, Il will
come with pleasure"
We started.
what magnificent creatures!' she
cried, when she reached the field ooh,
and what number
There certainly was, and more than |
cared for Behind, before, on either
hand they stood, grazing, or lay down
chewing the cud.
Oll3 ho NOllb ClOStIt L must get
that lovely groupw exclaimed Norah
1t was group of four fcrocious-look-
ing beasts, one standing, the rest lying
in various attitudes around One.
great black animal eyed US steadily, and
slightly altered his position the better
to see US. Norah sat down; | rcluct-
antly did the same.
"Would you sharpen my pencil?" she
asked
/ She was looking at me curiously. |
fancy she half-suspected my nervousness;
50, putting the best face of matters got
lout my knife and held out my hand for
sage 'ls.neii, and, as she heldit toward
me, j forgot all but her own sweet self
aud seized the little hand tenderly. She
snatched it hastily away, and think
now she thought, as doubtless my atti-
tude suggested, that was about to pare
her nails.
Il think, Mr. Maurice" she said
gently 81 could manage better if you
would not mind going the other side of
the bullocks and attracting the notice Of
that black one in the other direction
They are looking the same way and it
looks 50 stiff If you held out some
grass to him or switched your stick
about, it might keep his attention
fixed"
l rose slowly and cautiously found my
way to the other side.
1t was quite needless to do anything
to attract that monsters attention; his
eye was on me. As / moved, so did he;
and, as sat down, he turned his head
right around, the better to watch me.
l was turning hot and cold by turns.
"That will do nicely, thanks. Keep
him in that position for few minutes" d."
called Norah
Then came a silence, broken only by
the beating of my heart The suspense
grew unbcarable, and the perspiration
began to pour down my face drew
out my handkerchief to wipe my heated
brow, when, with an angry grunt, the
animal began to rise. | saw my fatal
error; the handkerchief was red
Rapidly the brute gained his feet and
with head bent low advanced toward
me. 1t was too much All, all was for
gotten but the fate that seemed before
me. sprans up-I blush to own it-I
turned around and ran!
Thud, thud came those hoofs behind
me. Nearer came that snorting breath
till | almost thought felt it hot upon
my neck. Faster and faster | flew
nearer and nearer came that frantic
beast
Just then l thought caught faint
voice on the air-''Pray drop your hand
kerchicfw l did for found in my ter
ror have been waving it from side to
side as | ran. Almost Immediately the
tramping of hoofs ceased; but without
pausing to look behind | made straight
for fence just in front of me, which
having vaulted, found myself safe at
last.
Then the whole absurdity of my posi-
tion burst upon me. The ridiculous
figure must have cut before Norah, the
contempt she must feel for my coward
icol Oh, what would | not have given
to be able to wipe the last half hour out
of my life!
After a great deal of consideration as
to my future conduct, | determined to
face the party at lunch, when l could
judge if my late exploit was known.
When | joined them, they were all seated
on the grass. noticed a decided pause
in the conversation as | approached.
Tompkins was busily helping Norah to
some strawberries His head was turned
away from me, but when he saw me up
went that detested glass, ana the usual
inspection began. When his eye gained
the level of my pocket, where the haad-
kerchief so lately had shown itself, he
looked suddenly full in my face and,
calling to the carver, said: "Brett, Mr..
Maurice will take some beef.
A roar Of laughter followed this sally
and | fplt tbat oil ,,,as Lno,.n f.l4